Steve Lonegan, the New Jersey GOP’s nominee for the Senate special election, has high expectations for the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee to boost him to victory.

Lonegan faces an uphill climb in the Oct. 16 special election against the Democratic nominee, Newark Mayor Cory Booker. A Republican has not won a New Jersey Senate seat in 40 years, and President Barack Obama carried the state with 58 percent in 2012.

On Wednesday, Lonegan told WOR Radio that he is “expecting really the whole NRSC and RNC to be focusing on this race.”

RNC spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski confirmed that the committee will help Lonegan through its Victory program in New Jersey. The Victory program provides resources to Republicans from the top of the ticket down, such as funding for offices, staff and volunteers to garner support for GOP candidates.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who many have speculated is eyeing a presidential bid, is not expected to make appearances for or provide fundraising support to Lonegan’s campaign, National Journal reported on Tuesday.